How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#1

Post by pkchen » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 12:48 AM UTC

How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community
viniciusvacanti.com

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#2

Post by jamesbritt » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 3:31 AM UTC

    After watching the demos a safe two seats away from the closest attendee, 
    I approached someone and introduced myself.  They didn’t seem interested 
    in talking to me and walked away a few minutes later.  After standing around 
    for a few more minutes acting like I was looking for someone, I just walked 
    out.  Ouch.

Wow. That's messed up.

People, please if you're at some tech gathering, keep an eye out for newcomers and make them welcome. That's what makes a community.

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#3

Post by nanijoe » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 3:32 AM UTC

So, how has being a member of the NY Tech community helped you? Is this something we should also aspire to do?

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#4

Post by brandnewlow » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 3:43 AM UTC

jamesbritt wrote: post #2

After watching the demos a safe two seats away from the closest attendee, I approached someone and introduced myself. They didn’t seem interested in talking to me and walked away a few minutes later. After standing around for a few more minutes acting like I was looking for someone, I just walked out. Ouch. Wow. That's messed up. People, please if you're at some tech gathering, keep an eye out for newcomers and make…

I agree that people organizing events should be more welcoming, but really, its everyone's own responsibility to be proactive in meeting people.

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#5

Post by jamesbritt » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 3:47 AM UTC

brandnewlow wrote: post #4

jamesbritt wrote: post #2

After watching the demos a safe two seats away from the closest attendee, I approached someone and introduced myself. They didn’t seem interested in talking to me and walked away a few minutes later. After standing around for a few more minutes acting like I was looking for someone, I just walked out. Ouch. Wow. That's messed up. People, please if you're at some tech gathering, keep an eye out for newcomers and make…

I agree that people organizing events should be more welcoming, but really, its everyone's own responsibility to be proactive in meeting people.

" ... but really, its everyone's own responsibility to be proactive in meeting people."

Oh, exactly, that's the point I'm trying to make. Don't leave it "the people in charge"; they can't be everywhere greeting everyone.

If you're less a newbie than someone else, then it's your job to help them out.

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#6

Post by starkfist » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 3:47 AM UTC

jamesbritt wrote: post #2

After watching the demos a safe two seats away from the closest attendee, I approached someone and introduced myself. They didn’t seem interested in talking to me and walked away a few minutes later. After standing around for a few more minutes acting like I was looking for someone, I just walked out. Ouch. Wow. That's messed up. People, please if you're at some tech gathering, keep an eye out for newcomers and make…

This is what New York is like in all social aspects, not just tech meetups.

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#7

Post by vacanti » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 4:20 AM UTC

nanijoe wrote: post #3

So, how has being a member of the NY Tech community helped you? Is this something we should also aspire to do?

I didn't really address that in the post. But, in short, fundraising, hiring, product feedback and PR successes can be significantly attributed to a member of the community helping us out. I'll try to write a post that provides more details.

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#8

Post by noverloop » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 10:56 AM UTC

jamesbritt wrote: post #2

After watching the demos a safe two seats away from the closest attendee, I approached someone and introduced myself. They didn’t seem interested in talking to me and walked away a few minutes later. After standing around for a few more minutes acting like I was looking for someone, I just walked out. Ouch. Wow. That's messed up. People, please if you're at some tech gathering, keep an eye out for newcomers and make…

I was on the verge on having the same experience at fowa london, however they had set up some game consoles to play on and they only had games you could play with two players.

It's a very good icebreaker, I can only recommend the practice.

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#9

Post by isnoteasy » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 11:56 AM UTC

Too much social life can ruin your business. Perhaps you must become a member of NYTC once you have built your product and are ready to launch it, otherwise you don't have time for being alert to your social environment.

Re: How I Became a Member of the NY Tech Community

#10

Post by kristiandupont » Mon, Jul 26, 2010, 4:51 PM UTC

starkfist wrote: post #6

jamesbritt wrote: post #2

After watching the demos a safe two seats away from the closest attendee, I approached someone and introduced myself. They didn’t seem interested in talking to me and walked away a few minutes later. After standing around for a few more minutes acting like I was looking for someone, I just walked out. Ouch. Wow. That's messed up. People, please if you're at some tech gathering, keep an eye out for newcomers and make…

This is what New York is like in all social aspects, not just tech meetups.

I have heard this often but I have to say that it has just not been my experience. One datapoint, I know, but still.